Weightlifting Equipment and History

Barbell

Equipment consisting of a steel bar and rubber-coated discs of different weights fastened onto it. In weightlifting competitions, competitors must lift the barbell loaded to a certain weight under strictly specified conditions. In competition, the barbell’s weight is progressively loaded by one-kilo increments.

Collar

A metal component that encircles the bar and secures the weights in place (weighing 2.5kg each).

Disc

An individual cylindrical weight on the bar. The weight of the discs ranges between 0.5kg and 25kg, symmetrically loaded on the bar in accordance with the weight requested by the athlete for his/her attempt.

Sleeve

The end parts of the bar where the weights are attached.

Referee Light System

The three referees give their decision about the correctness and validity of each lift by pressing white or red light buttons on a small device in front of them. As soon as a referee has judged a lift as correctly completed, he or she will press the white light button, or, if the attempt is incorrect or missed, the red light button.

Main Scoreboard

The large scoreboard on the wall helps spectators to follow the progress of the competition by indicating all the important data on the lifters, the progress of the competition and the actual ranking in that particular competition (group/session).

Record Board

The records relevant to the competition/championships and the category contested are displayed in the venue for information to the public. When displayed on the main scoreboard, the records are immediately updated.

Multi-video Screen

Replays of the lifts in slow motion from different angles are presented to the public and the Jury after each attempt to allow for better observation of the athletes’ movements, which are very fast in real time.

Costume/outfit of competitors

Competitors wear a – usually – one-piece, close-fitting leotard, with or without a T-shirt underneath.

Weightlifting shoes

are designed specially to give stability to the feet during the execution of the lift.

Weightlifting belt

(Maximum 120mm wide) may be worn to support the trunk during the attempt.

Bandages

May be worn on the wrists or the knees. Elastic knee-caps may also be worn instead of the knee bandage. Weightlifters may use special gloves to improve their grip on the bar.

Glossary

AttemptEach competitor has three attempts at the snatch and three at the clean and jerk at weights requested and specified by the rules. In order to qualify for a total, the athlete must perform at least one successful attempt on each type of movement/lift.

Attempt BoardAn electronic device on which must appear the name of the competitor just called, the category and group contested, the number of the attempt and the weight to be lifted. This board also incorporates the referees’ decision lights and the timing clock indicating the time allocated to the lifter to perform the attempt.

BodyweightThe exact weight of the athlete (to the nearest 10 grams) registered by the officials at the weigh-in, which begins two hours before the athlete’s competition. In the event of identical results, having a lighter bodyweight will give the advantage in the ranking.

ChalkThe common name for the magnesium carbonate powder that lifters put on their hands to improve their grip on the bar.

Clean & JerkOne of the two types of movements/lifts which constitute the weightlifting competition. A two-phase movement, during which the athlete first pulls the barbell with both hands to shoulder height, performing a squat and then standing up (Clean), then jerks the weight overhead in a fast movement finishing with arms fully extended and an upright body (Jerk).

Drawing of lotsAt the Technical Congress, a lot number is allocated at random (generated electronically) to each participant, the progression of which will be a factor in the order of lifting within each (group''s) competition.

EliminationAn athlete failing to obtain a valid result in either one or both movements (lifts) for any reason is eliminated.

EntriesIn order to be able to compete in competitions (Olympic Games, championships, etc.), athletes must be correctly entered by their National Olympic Committee (NOC) or National Federation into their respective bodyweight categories, with the indication of the qualification totals. No more than two lifters of the same NOC/country may be entered into a bodyweight category. Final entries are verified before the Technical Congress and will be used to make the Start(ing) Lists.

EventIn the Olympic Games, one bodyweight category’s competition (e.g. Category 48kg, women), can be held in one group (Group A) or two (Group B and Group A).

GroupDepending on the number of entries in one category, competitors may compete in one group only (usually up to 15 participants) or in more groups (Groups C, B and A). The allocation of athletes into the various groups is carried out according to the level of their estimated performance (entry totals), with Group A being the strongest. Each group’s competition consists of Snatch and Clean & Jerk and each one is a final, with the results of all the groups within one category being combined and ranked at the end.

IWFInternational Weightlifting Federation: the world-wide governing body for the sport of weightlifting.

JuryA jury of five members, each of them international category one referees and appointed by the IWF, supervises the correct implementation of the IWF Rules during the competition. The Jury, with its President in the middle, sits behind a table with a clear view of the competition platform. In the event of a serious technical mistake by the referees, and if unanimous, the Jury may replace a referee or overrule the referee’s decision on an attempt.

Lot numberA number drawn (electronically) for each competitor at the Technical Congress, which determines the order of weigh-in and of their lifting during the competition.

Movement (Lift)The Snatch or the Clean & Jerk: these two methods of lifting the barbell overhead are recognised for weightlifting competitions.

No LiftAn attempt judged as unsuccessful by at least two of the three referees.

Olympic TotalA figure specified in kilograms, being the aggregate of the best successful Snatch and Clean & Jerk results achieved by the competitor. The total decides the classification/ranking of the competitors. In the case of a tie, athletes are ranked according to bodyweight with the lighter competitor ranking higher.

Olympic TotalA figure specified in kilograms, being the aggregate of the best successful Snatch and Clean & Jerk results achieved by the competitor. The total decides the classification/ranking of the competitors. In the event of a tie, athletes are ranked according to bodyweight, with the lighter competitor ranking higher.

PlatformA square platform measuring 4m along each side and 50-150mm high, made of a solid and non-slippery material, on which the competitors must execute the lifts.

PresentationFifteen minutes before the start of each competition, the speaker introduces the participating athletes who are lined up on the stage in the order of their start numbers, as well as the allocated technical officials.

Press-outAn illegal move where a lifter bends the arms while holding the bar overhead, then presses out to make them straight. The most common mistake which leads to the referees declaring the attempt as a No Lift.

ProtocolA document registering the progress of the competition, indicating each successful and unsuccessful lift, the total result, the officials, and the records achieved. (Also called the scoresheet.)

Qualification EventsA series of events (World and Continental Qualification events) designated by the IOC/IWF to decide the Olympic qualification of NOCs and athletes.

Record boardThis board is used to display the current records of the category being contested. It may be incorporated in the main/public scoreboard, with the records permanently updated during the competition.

RefereeThree referees are appointed to each competition to adjudicate the attempts of the lifters. Their majority or unanimous decision - passed individually, with the help of an electronic referee light system - decides the validity or failure of a lift. The referees’ audible and visible signal allows the athlete to replace the barbell on the platform at the end of a lift. A fourth referee may operate the timing clock. The referees also perform the weigh-in of the athletes before the competition. Referees must be trained, pass appropriate exams and be registered with the IWF to be able to officiate in international competitions.

Referee light systemAn electronic device used by the referees to signal to the athlete when he/she may replace the barbell on the platform, and to pass their decision on the validity of the lift. Two or three white lights mean Good Lift; two or three red lights mean No Lift. The referees’ decisions on each attempt are displayed for maximum transparency.

SnatchOne of the two types of movements/lifts which constitute the weightlifting competition. A continuous, swift movement in which the athlete lifts the barbell with both hands from the platform to extended arms’ length above the head, finishing with an upright body. The snatch is performed in the first half of the competition.

Speaker/MCA Speaker or Master of Ceremonies (MC) is an official who, in accordance with the rules, moderates the competition, calling the athletes by name and NOC/country to the platform to perform their attempts, and announces the validity or non-validity of each lift, after the referees have passed their decision. The speaker gives continuous information on the competition to both the participants and the public.

SplitTo drop while bending the legs, one forward and one straight back.

SquatTo drop while bending the legs with the feet placed to either side.

Start NumberThe number defining the order of weigh-in and lifting in one particular session (group) competition, defined by the progressive order of the lot numbers drawn at the Technical Congress.

Starting ListsA package of documents issued after the Technical Congress containing detailed information on the schedule of the competitions, the participants, the appointed technical officials, the starters in each group with their corresponding entry totals and the current records.

Technical CongressA meeting held with team managers, IWF officials and competition management 48 or 24 hours prior to the first competition to finalise the Starting Lists, allocation of Technical Officials and other important details for the competitions.

Technical ControllerTwo technical controllers at each competition check the athletes’ outfits, the calling order and the progression of the weight of the barbell, keep order in the warm-up area, etc.

Time KeeperA competition official - usually one of the referees - appointed to operate the timing clock in accordance with the Rules.

Timing ClockAn electronic time-keeping device - usually built into the Attempt Board - displaying the time allocated to the athlete to begin the attempt in a countdown mode, starting from one or two minutes.

Total à l''inscriptionThe total result indicated on the Entry Form and representing the athlete’s current and/or estimated performance. This total result is an important factor in allocating the athletes to the different groups within their category. The aim is to have athletes of similar potential competing in one group/session, to avoid the unnecessary prolongation of the competition.

Warm-up (room/area)An area separated from, but adjacent to, the competition stage, in which athletes warm up before being called to perform their lifts and where they return after each attempt. The warm-up room is supplied with a suitable number of platforms and barbells to serve the participants of a competition/group.

Weigh-inA process that begins two hours before each competition and lasts one hour, during which the lifters entered for that particular competition appear before a panel of officials and are weighed. Athletes who are under or over the limits of their indicated category are not be allowed to compete.

ZeroIf an athlete fails on each attempt and so cannot score a valid result either in the Snatch or the Clean & Jerk. In the Olympic Games, where ranking is established only on the total (i.e. the aggregate of the best results of both lifts), this means elimination (no ranking). In other competitions, an athlete may be classified in either one of the movements, even if he/she has a zero in the other movement (lift).